Become an Insider

kneeworn made it to the other side

Status
Not open for further replies.
I took my self off the hydrocodone this weekend and am using Celebrex and tylenol now for pain. Except for when I try to bend it past the stiffness it is more of a constant arthritic ache most times. My flexion is still 117-125. Mostly 117 because the 125 was when we tried to stretch more out of it. I'm discouraged flexion is so hard to get. I can't seem to hold it bent when it becomes very uncomfortable. I'm hoping my return to work next week will help me regain a more normal gait and flexion.

Kneeworn
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
Kneeworn....you may not think you've progressed nicely, but I DO!!! You have plenty of time to gain more ROM. It just comes as you resume your normal activity and swelling lessens. It can happen for a year or more out of surgery. So....pat yourself on the back. You're doing great.
 
Thanks Jo and Jamie for the encouragement. As one of the slow recovery group it gets real discouraging at times. I admit I have wailed more than once that I wish I had never done this. The hard part for me with the synvisc injections is that I would often have periods of relatively normal feeling knee at times although I had to protect it. But I know that my surgeon told Ray post-op that it was far worse than he expected and that he could not believe I had still been working on it. So I know it was time. Perhaps had I gone sooner it may have been an easier recovery with me being less out of shape strength wise.

But today in therapy I achieved 127 ROM on my own. Now I was sick over the weekend with food poisin so had gotten very dehydrated even with trying to keep up my fluid intake. My therapist thought it may have pulled some fluid out of my system and thus my knee. So I am very thankful for that carrot. Now if I can get it a little furter another 5-10 degrees I would be estactic.

The other frustration is that it feels clunky when I walk but I am trying to watch how I move my other leg and minic that movement to retrain my gait.

I plan to stay in therapy after return to work for a while to help maintain my ROM and keep down the swelling with the e-stim treatments. My therapist and I discussed that today. We will not be doing much strength training only trying to maintain the movement I have gained.

Donna
 
That sounds like a great plan, Donna. Even if it's slow in coming, you are making progress. Keeping that positive attitude will help.
 
Donna - I think you are doing great! My flexion hovers around 115-120 or less but I'm not worried about it because I know it's only been 3 months and I can feel the swelling deep inside. Don't beat yourself up about the timing of your surgery - you did it when you were ready. I don't have the facts, but I would think the surgery is the same whether you are totally bone on bone in every area or when two parts are bad and the third marginal. It was what it was and now you are rehabing and doing wonderfully regardless of some minor setbacks. Life is full of set backs - you have to pick yourself up and move forward and hope and expect that there will be more gains in the days ahead!
 
127 is great, Donna. Really great. I'd say you are there!
 
I still have trouble sleeping at night and the last few days the knee has ached all the time. I did not sleep much last night and finally got up and took some tylenol to help. It really did not make much difference. I had taken my daily dose of celebrex.

I don't want to start back on the narcotics because I have to return to work next week. I need to find another solution. I see my OS tuesday for my final release and will talk to him about that then.

Sometimes I suspect the e-stim also makes it ache more but I know it helps with swelling. I had that yesterday. Perhaps next time I will not have them turn up the amount as high and have it be more mild.

It has rained off and on here for days and since I was always reactive to weather fronts it stands to reason that is some of the issues. Hopefully my sleep will improve soon. When I return to work I really need a good nights sleep. Also someting I will discuss with the OS. Having to think quickly on my feet I need to be rested at work.

I can not say enough good things about my sweet Ray. He has been so supportive and caring. He does so much for me and it is a blessing to have his help. He even wants to still drive me to therapy and back even though I am off my narcotics. I enjoy having him there to share with when I come out too. I'm very lucky to have someone to bare my soul too when I get down. He encourages me too.

I still struggle with lying on my side and I love to sleep on my side. I can manage a few minutes or so. Perhaps when my sleep improves things will feel better.

I hope that I will be able to get my kayak out this year and get myself in and out gracefully. I love being outside. I need a little more bend though for that.

Have a good day all.

Donna
 
Hi, Donna. I think you are doing just great. I am almost at 5 months post op and I think my ROM is only between 117 and 120. My extension is still not quite there either. I'm not too worried about either one. My LTKR feels pretty stable when I walk and I'm sure more will come soon.

The sleep issues still hound me too, but most of the problem for me is my spinal arthritis. This journey sure has it's tough spots, but I think we've done just fine and it has sure been fun to do it together. Take care. Maggie
 
Yesterday my OS gave me release to return to work. I'm going back 4 hour days. This week 3 days. Next week
5 days. The next week 6 hour days and then back to 8 hour work days. They were easy on me today and did not assign me to a room. Instead I gave breaks and checked our ENT stock. My post-op TED hose I wore were too loose now so I'll have to get some more smaller ones. Everyone was glad to see me.

Tomorrow I'll go to an education class and that will help. I had some swelling today and discomfort. Thankfully my doctor called in some Tramadol and employee health approved it as long as it does not make me loopy.

I will continue in therapy 2 days a week. Some folks were surprised my ROM was not greater. I told them I'm still working on it. My OS says even though I measure 127 I'm functionally less but feels I can still get more.

Donna
LTKR 12-06-2010
 
Great report, Donna!!! I think you are doing awesome to be back at work so soon. Keep taking it kind of slow to work your way back up to full speed!!
 
Made it through day 2 a 4 hour class. Did some serious fidgeting trying to sit that long. Lots of ankle pumps and leg extensions. Finally took a tramadol after 2.5 hours. Stood up about 30 minutes. Made me somewhat glad I don't sit a lot in the OR. I just hope I get to get to sit some.

How long does this achy feeling last? I still have some swelling and tend to do so.

Hopefully my knee will adjust smoothly to all the walking and standing. I'm just going to think of it as rehab.

Donna
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
You have gone so far and worked so hard. Congratulations, Donna.

I have always found sitting to be harder than walking but often find just standing difficult. Hopefully while your legs get stronger with your new routine, it will all come around. Your knee and leg will still heal while you have gone back to work. Hopefully taking the Ultram and whatever's needed will get you through those days. Good luck on the weeks to come!
 
Donna, I hate to tell you but that achy feeling can hang on for quite a while.....especially if you sit for extended periods. We make the 3-hour drive to our lake house in two 1 1/2 hour periods with a short break in between to let the dog out (and us). When I get down out of the truck after driving for 1 1/2 hours, I'm still a little stiff and it's been three years since my TKR. It only lasts for a few steps and probably wouldn't do that if I exercised regularly.

So try not to worry about it and just enjoy the good things you are enjoying after surgery. Frankly, I think you're amazing at this early stage of recovery!!! No way could I have done what you're doing.
 
I returned to work a week ago for 4 hours a day. My knee is swelling more and my flexion has regressed from 127 assisted to 95. I have discussed the flexion issue with my OS and ask if he thought I needed a manipulation. He said there is still swelling there and we will decide that after this week. In the meantime he wants Ray to assist me with my stretching to get a deeper bend. I think I would benefit from a MUA but then as easy as I swell would it be the best thing. I just don't want to end up with a knee that only bends 100 degrees. I'm sure he will guide me well but functionally what I have now is not enough. I am running out of sick time but if I have to do without pay I will make do. Any thoughts fellow smarties. I am still in therapy 2 times a week.

Donna
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
Donna - I get a little bit of swelling being at work but it isn't anything that hasn't been managed. When it swells yeah I lose flexion but I'm not sure I'd want to have the MUA that I read a lot about here. Can you elevate and ice at work and then really elevate at home? I'd hate to see you have to have another procedure.
 
Hi Donna,
I had my surgery not long after you and I am struggling with flex too. After months of PT and only achieving 102 on my own, 108-110 assist it seems I am stuck. I went to my OS today for my follow up and he said I have scar tissue that is blocking my bend :sigh: He of course suggested a MUA or scope to get rid of the scar tissue but i was not sold on it just yet so I am going to try to get more on my own in the next few weeks and pray that I can do it. If you already made it to 127 you will get there again once the swelling gets down again, don't give up it will come back. Try to ice and elevate like Aileen suggests that will make a big difference!

Best of luck!
 
Thanks ladies. It does make sense if I could squeeze that much flexion out of it once I hopefully can get it back. I wish I did have the opportunity to stop and ice but working in the OR is a fast paced physical on the go go go job. Your on your feet always moving mostly. On the way in this morning I could feel the fluid in my knee juggling against my TED hose. I'm off the weekend yeah. Ray and I will work on the flexion this weekend. I go to therapy today. We will see what my therapist thinks. I've come so far to lose the movement now. I do ice and elevate several times when I get home.

Donna
LTKR 12/06/2010
 
Okay just back from therapy and my regular therapist was there. She worked with me and we were able to get the flexion back to 120 with a few ouchies but not so bad. She said she feels it is the change in activity and my very physical job but once the knee adjust and settles down I will be able to progress again. She said that in therapy we always had to go slow and that each time she changed or added things it would swell and we would have to rest it. So because of this she feels in time it will adjust and I probably will get by fine without the MUA as long as the OS does not feel waiting will be a problem for the outcome. I am willing to wait. My next appointment with my OS is mid April so we will see. He sees me at work so I am going to keep trying and concentrating on flexion and see how it goes. She showed me how to tell Ray to do the flexion assist and said for us to try to do it three times a day for 5 times. I will also continue my strengthening excersizes.

So I am more hopeful and positive this evening. Yeah.

Have a great weekend all.

Donna
 
:THUMB::thumb:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 6,660 (members: 2, guests: 6,658)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom